NCIS: New Showrunners Named for CBS Series

by Cindy McLennan, November 4, 2016

CBS has promoted George Schenck and Frank Cardea as NCIS TV showrunners, replacing the late Gary Glasberg. (Photo: Kevin Lynch/CBS)

The Wrap reports George Schenck and Frank Cardea will be the new NCIS showrunners. Writing partners since the 1970s, the duo replaces the late Gary Glasberg, who died unexpectedly, on September 28th of this year.

According to the report, Schenck and Cardea have penned nearly 50 episodes of the CBS TV show. Mark Harmon, Pauley Perrette, and David McCallum star in the Navy crime drama.

George Schenck and Frank Cardea Upped to Showrunners for NCIS TV Show on CBS

Schenck and Cardea created the High Sierra Search and Rescue and Crazy Like a Fox TV series. They’ve also worked together on shows including Hack and Soldier of Fortune. They have been with NCIS since its first season.

Here is more from The Wrap:

“The ‘NCIS’ family suffered a tragic loss with the sudden passing of our showrunner, Gary Glasberg,” Schenck and Cardea said in a joint statement. “It’s with heavy hearts that we assume his duties. We are fortunate to be surrounded by an incredibly talented and dedicated cast and crew, which will make the transition that much easier. Thank you to the ‘NCIS’ fans for the outpouring of love we have all received.”

[…]

“Gary was our rock, our cheerleader, our team captain,” said the cast and crew of “NCIS” at the time of Glasberg’s death. “He inspired us with his leadership, his creative instincts and keen insight. ‘NCIS’ will not be the same without him, and each of us will miss his smiling face and unwavering humor, which lifted us every day.”

Gary Glasberg’s Successors Named for NCIS TV Series on CBS

Glasberg boarded the NCIS franchise as a co-executive producer, back in 2009 and eventually rose to showrunner. He went on to create the NCIS: New Orleans spinoff. His TV résumé also includes series such as Shark, The Mentalist, Crossing Jordan, and Bones. His first TV series writing credit is for a 1992 episode of Rugrats, “Superhero Chuckie/The Dog Boomer.”

What do you think? Are you familiar with Schenck and Cardea’s work? Do you think the NCIS TV show is in good hands? Tell us.